When the state government spent a whopping Rs 6 crore on Valmiki Jayanthi, no eyebrows were raised nor did questions come up when the state spent Rs 40 crore on the Global Investors’ Meet. But, when the legislature decided to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha, several questions were posed. The government, particularly parliamentary affairs minister T.B. Jayachandra and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, gave an impression to the media that they were kept in the dark on the celebrations. Was it true? Not really. During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Legislative Council chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy explained in detail the background of the celebration and the controversy. Here are excerpts.
Whose idea was it to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha?
It is a majestic building and has an interesting history. Stalwarts such as K.C. Reddy and Kengal Hanumanthaiah toiled to build it. In fact, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru came here to lay the foundation stone. It was completed in October, 1956. When the building turned 25, a silver jubilee function was held. Surprisingly, when Vidhana Soudha completed 50 years, the golden jubilee celebrations did not take place. When this issue came up for discussion early this year, we thought we should celebrate the 60th anniversary properly. You might ask why this celebration at 60, why not 75? (laughs) We do not know whether we will be alive when the building turns 75. So we thought we should celebrate the diamond jubilee. When the issue was placed before the CM he said, “You are right. We should celebrate during our time.” In fact he suggested that we invite the President and said if the President graced the occasion, it would be a serious affair. Thus started the process.
You say the CM was kept informed from day one. But an impression was given to the media that the government was kept in the dark and the two presiding officers drew up the plan in isolation?
Even I do not know how such an impression gained ground? Five or six months back, we had decided to hold the function in October because, the building was completed in this month. When we approached
the President, he took some time to respond. Then he gave us time on October 25. He in fact suggested that both the governor and chief minister should send a letter to him in this regard. We got in touch with the offices of the governor and the CM to arrange letters. Then we held a meeting with department heads and in that meeting, we made a power-point presentation on the contours of the programme. During one of the meetings, the CM said he would give a lecture on Kannada during the celebration. Even after all these preparations, I do not know why such an impression was given to the media.
Perhaps, this impression gained ground after the government decided not to spend much money.
Expenditure is bound to happen. When we decided to hold the programme, it was in fact Siddaramaiah who said there was no good documentary on Vidhana Soudha and the legislature. He suggested that documentaries be done by reputed people. After the CM’s suggestion, we selected a few people. When we do such projects, expenses are bound to go up. Do we celebrate Deepavali without spending a single paisa?
Perhaps the controversy broke out because there was news that gold coins would be given to members...
Both the Speaker (K.B. Koliwad) and I were shocked to see this news. None of us discussed this. When we gave a proposal, there was an idea to give mementoes to sitting and retired members. What I had in mind was wooden plaques with the Vidhana Soudha replica on it. Do you know how much money we need to give coins to 300 sitting and retired members?
Many former presiding officers said the Council chairman and Speaker should not have gone to the Chief Minister’s house. As per protocol, you are higher than the CM. There is an impression that the legislature’s sovereignty has been compromised.
No doubt, we are above the CM. We did not go to his office in Vidhana Soudha. But we can go to his house, ‘Krishna’ which is his home office. In the last seven years, I have gone there four or five times. On the day we approached him, the CM had a tight schedule. In fact, he said, “Don’t come home.” He invited us to ‘Krishna.’ I do not think our action has belittled the legislature.
This is not about relations between the CM and presiding officers. This trend could be misused by bureaucrats to make the legislature insignificant?
(Laughs) This (fight) has been going on. They are humans.
There is an impression that in the recent past, presiding officers have taken several decisions with financial implications which were not transparent.
What does transparency mean? We do not have money so we have to ask the government for everything. We cannot go to the media on every file we send to the government. We need some money for various affairs including this diamond jubilee celebrations. When we asked, they gave suggestions. Generally we function on the basis of a give-and-take policy.
Of late, many decisions of presiding officers were targeted. For instance the Gandhi statue construction was questioned.
In the Gandhi statue issue, nothing happened in the end. Only one member had an issue. When he moved a no-confidence motion, the Deputy Speaker, Marithibbe Gowda expunged the remarks. Unlike journalists, members have freedom to elicit information. In the Gandhi statue issue, finances were handled by the PWD department. I did not sign any paper.
Presiding officers are taking up different roles which can hardly be justified considering their actual responsibilities. For instance, the Speaker continues to be chairman of the House committee on lake encroachment. Is it fair?
He said he became Speaker after he was elected chairman of that committee. It is not appropriate for me to comment on this issue.
Moving on, you have launched guides to explain about our legislature system. Will you continue with it?
When people from other states and countries come here, they should know our history. I appointed a person on contract basis who explain things. The feedback I got was that most people are happy with his performance..
The Vidhana Soudha was originally meant to host only the Legislature. But it has now become a bureaucrats’ den.
You are right. It was originally meant for the legislature. But when pressure increased, late Hanumanthaiah had to change his plan. He built the Soudha big and government departments came and occupied the rooms. See Parliament or the seat of government in other states. Legislatures and government offices are housed in different buildings. Some historical facts are sensitive. We have to be extra cautious while dealing with these.
